Updated 10/10/2013: This contest is now closed. Thanks for all your ideas!

Hello, readers! We’re always creating books with you in mind. Now we want to know what ideas you have in mind.

Here’s the prompt: Using our previous books as a model, what would you title a new book in the Best Behavior series?

Three lucky winners will each win a $200 Free Spirit gift certificate. Prizes will be awarded for the funniest title, the most practical (and needed!) addition to the series, as well as a Free Spirit staff favorite.

If you are looking for inspiration, here are some titles already in the series:

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Please note: While we don’t guarantee that Free Spirit will publish a title in the Best Behavior series using your title, we certainly will consider it. By participating in this contest, entrants assign to Free Spirit Publishing all rights and claims to the submitted title and concept, and understand that they will receive no compensation should their suggestions be used in a publication.

How to Enter: Leave a comment below with your suggested book title(s). Feel free to leave multiple suggestions in one comment. Entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (CST) on October 9, 2013. This contest is now closed.

Each winner will be contacted via email on or about October 23, 2013, and will need to respond within 10 days to claim his or her prize or another winner will be chosen. Winners must be U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older. Click to read complete contest rules (PDF).

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Share your comments, stories, and ideas below, or contact us. All comments will be approved before posting, and are subject to our comment and privacy policies.

Laughing isn’t for insults; Smiles are for sharing; Books are not for eating;
Guitars are not for smashing; Texting is not for while driving; Food is not for throwing;Bad words are not for saying; Toys are not for throwing; Nails are not for biting; Homework is not for your dog; Teeth are for food; Hair is not for pulling; Food is not for playing; Pins are not for pricking; Noses are not for picking; Hands are to keep to yourself; Bugs are not for eating; Rules are not for fighting; Mouths are not for yelling; toys are not for hogging; Voices are not for screaming; Feet are not for kicking; Candy is not for bribing; Pencils are not for breaking; Eyes are not for poking; Fire is not for playing; Couches are not for jumping; Things are not for breaking; Saliva is not for spitting; Shoes are not for throwing; Crayons are not for chewing; Fish are not for petting; Books are not for ripping; Inside is not for screaming; Friends are not for teasing; Playdough is not for eating; People are not for bullying; Beards are not for tugging; Books are not for tearing; Babysitters are not for climbing; Games are not for cheating; Candy is not for stealing; Sports are not for pouting; Stones are not for throwing; Poison is not for drinking; Dogs are not for riding; Blocks are not for throwing; Promises are not for breaking; Tempers are not for tantrums; Manners are for the table; Electric sockets are not for touching; Trash is not for littering; Food is not for playing; School is not for hurting friends;

I think I just wrote your next book. . . .Mouths Are Not for Screaming!

“La, la, la, la. . . Your mouth can sing songs. Your mouth can chew yummy food, too”
“You can use your mouths to give kisses to someone we love, but it is never OK to use your mouth to scream at someone”
“Screaming can hurt ears. Screaming can make someone feel afraid.”
“It might be OK to use a loud voice when you are playing outside, but it’s not OK to scream when you feel angry”
“Let’s use our mouths to lick an ice cream cone, make funny sounds and talk to our friends. But remember, mouths are not for screaming!”
etc., etc., etc.
(Preschool Special Education Teacher for 23 years)

Bladders Are Not for Holding (Forever)
Bathrooms Are Not for Playing
Hands Are Not for Snot
Poop Is Not for Smearing
Pencils Are Not for Stabbing
Jokes Are Not for Teasing
Bathroom Procedures Are Not for Discussions
(Haha…bet you can see how my days are…)

compassion is not for hiding
advocating is not for silencing
tantrum-ing is not for getting
demanding is not for getting
intimidating is not for getting
collaborating is not for hoarding
humor is not for dismissing
hairbrushes are not for sharing (lice prevention)
each thought that pops into your head is not necessarily for verbally processing
each inappropriate joke heard is not for repeating
personal space is not for invading
personal space is not for entering
noise reducing headphones are not for forgetting
each typo or mispronounced word your teacher writes or says is not for persevering on

1. “My body parts are for this and not that” ie…eyes are for watching, not rolling; My tongue is for tasting not licking (surfaces); my nose is for smelling food and flowers, not door handles and walls and other germs things or picking; my fingers are for snapping, clapping, waving, not poking, pointing, and picking at; etc.
2. “Taking Turns is Easy with a Friend”
3. “My Body is Just Right, Ready To Learn!” Sensory strategies to stay regulated in the classroom.
4. “Stopping This to Start That” a book about transitions.

BEDTIME IS NOT FOR PLAYTIME
RULES ARE NOT FOR BREAKING
SECRETS ARE NOT FOR SHARING
BEDROOMS ARE NOT FOR TRASHING
TEACHERS ARE NOT FOR DISRESPECTING
WINE IS NOT FOR KIDS (BUT YOU MAY SEE YOUR PARENTS & TEACHERS DRINKING OFTEN!)

Tails are not for smelling
Hands are not for touching each other private parts
Hands are not for picking your nose
Germs are not for eating
Words are not without meaning
Hands are for helping
Schools are for learning
Mouths are for eating food
Toys are for sharing
Hands are for hugging
Ears are for listening
Eyes are for watching

“School is for Learning”
Can address the many areas of self-regulation that are learned through school, such as voice – volume/situation; body – be the boss of your body; emotions – through friendships/interacting with others; language – to express themselves; and attention – for focus on learning.

Sounds boys make..a book about gas
I don’t need a man a book about divorce from a moms point of view
If you’ll just listen a guide to understanding
Mirrors are for making sure your clothing is appropriate
Just because mom has a tattoo doesn’t mean you have to

“Heads are not for Bumping” is a topic in which to bring attention to the importance of wearing helmets for trike/bike riding and playing sports such as football. This is similar to Melanie Rivellese’s entry on 9-25 for “Heads are not for Butting”. Conversely…heads are for protecting, heads are for thinking, etc. Any version of this title for a book would be greatly welcomed in early childhood.

1. The Survival Guide for Kids Who Get a Mean Teacher: Staying cool in a hot place.
2. Butts are NOT for Scratching: Making a good impression when in public.
3. I Dare You! Deflating peer pressure to get in trouble.
4. If you are what you eat, three kids at my table are boogers. Finding healthy/tasty food in the school cafeteria. (How to select foods. How to pack healthy lunches.)
5. Pull up your pants! Knowing the difference between fad and fashion

“Desks are not for climbing! Chairs are not for jumping! Classrooms are for learning!”

I work with elementary school children who have Autism (some verbal, some non-verbal) and they respond well to the books in this series (short, sweet, and to the point!). I would love to see a book that addresses how a child can recognize their need for a sensory break, and the appropriate ways to get that sensory input/output in the appropriate setting (with the help of an adult of course) vs. inappropriate activities in the classroom. Readers could see illustrations of children engaging in sensory activities in a safe manner, and returning to the classroom, ready to learn! Characters could also be seen in various settings such as home and in the community (stores, park, etc) but my mind was on the school setting!

Sharp Objects Are Not for Playing
Bermuda Triangles Are Not for Swimming
Tests Are Not for Cheating On
Dogs Are Not for Riding
People Are Not For Poking
Bananas Peels Are Not for Slipping On
Ice Is Not for Playing On
Snowballs Are Not for Throwing
Glass Is Not For Breaking
Baseballs Are Not for Breaking Windows
Friends Are Not for Betraying
Metal Is Not for Melting
Snow Is Not for Eating

Friends are not for fighting
Crayons are not for eating
Peanut butter is not for sharing (anyone with allergies)
I pods ( Electronics) are not for Entertaining (kids are spending way to much time on them)

Feeling are for Talking – kids keep to much to themselves and should learn to express themselves
Friends are for Sharing – kids need to learn to share their friends
Ears are not for Ignoring
Friends are not for hurting
Voices are not for Whining
Things are not for Stealing
Halls are not for Running
Foods is not for Playing
Food is not for Sharing – for food allergies – little kids might not know it can be dangerous to share

Chairs Are Not For Throwing
Legs Are Not For Running (Out of the Classroom!)
Rules Are Not For Breaking!
Respect Is For Everyone
Friends Are For Sharing
Lying Gets You Nothing
Teachers and Friends are Not For Hitting

1. Feelings Are Not For Hurting, 2. Rules Are Not For Breaking, 3. Kindness/Caring Is For Sharing.
4. Differences Are For Celebrating! 5. Skin Color Is Not For Discriminating!
6. Friends Are For Forgiving. 7. Feelings Are For You and Me! 8. Life Is Not Forever (yes, I know it is sad, but we need more resources to help children learn to deal with tragedy/illness/dying/death/loss to be used in counseling/school settings.) Thanks!

Rules are not for Breaking (theme: …they keep us safe; help us get along; etc)
Grown-Ups are not for Ignoring (theme: …they help keep us safe; teach us new things; help us when we’re sad or upset; etc)

**Words are not for Bullying
**Teeth are not for Biting
**Feeling Smarter with Emotions (Just because I’m smart don’t mean I don’t have feelings too or understanding kids who are GT and need help emotionally who are picked on)

Food Is Not For Throwing
Making Faces Are Not For Everyone
No Means No
New Babies Are Not Toys
Toys Are Not All Over
Whining Is Not Going To Work
Being Bossy Is Not For Making Friends
Crayons Are Not For Walls
“I Want”, “I Want” Is Not For Mommy

As the Mom to a 2 year old and a 14 year old , I have some diverse ideas!
My top 3 ideas would be:
1. Voices are not for screaming
( or yelling or shouting )
2. Heads are not for Butting
3. Friends are not for Pushing

Schools are not for bullies/bullying
Kindness is for everyone
Respect is for everyone
Learning is forever (be a lifelong learner)
Books are for adventures
Families are for loving
Friends are for sharing
Friends are for caring